401(k) Contribution Deadline 2026: The $24,500 Limit, Catch-Up Amounts and Your Last Payroll Date

If you want to max out your 401(k) for 2026, the date that matters is December 31, and the real deadline is your last payroll of the year, not New Year's Eve itself. The 2026 employee limit is $24,500. Here are the limits, who can contribute more, and a short plan for working out how much to raise your contribution by now.

The 2026 limits

These are the figures the IRS announced for 2026 for 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans:

• Employee contribution limit: $24,500
• Catch-up if you're 50 or older: an extra $8,000 (total $32,500)
• Catch-up at ages 60 to 63: a higher $11,250 under SECURE 2.0 (total $35,750)
• IRA limit: $7,500, plus a $1,100 catch-up at 50 or older

The limit counts only what you put in. Employer matching is separate and doesn't use up your $24,500. The IRS hasn't published 2027 figures in the sources I checked, so this post sticks to 2026. Some forecasts expect a $1,000 rise, but that's a forecast, not an official number.

Why the deadline is earlier than you think

401(k) deferrals generally come out of paychecks, and the money has to be deducted from pay received in 2026. So the practical cutoff is the last paycheck dated in December. Payroll departments often need changes a week or two earlier, so ask HR what the cutoff is for changing your percentage.

A traditional or Roth IRA is different. You can contribute for 2026 until the tax filing deadline in April 2027, usually April 15.

A quick way to work out the per-paycheck amount

1. Look at your year-to-date contributions on a recent pay stub.
2. Subtract that from your limit ($24,500, or more if you qualify for catch-up).
3. Divide what's left by the number of paychecks remaining in 2026.
4. Convert that to a percentage of pay, or a dollar amount if your plan allows it.

Don't overshoot. Some plans stop deductions at the limit, and others match only as you go, so a late burst could cost you matching money. Check your plan's rules first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 401(k) limit for 2026? $24,500, plus $8,000 catch-up if you're 50 or older.

What is the 401(k) deadline for 2026? Contributions come from 2026 pay, so the last payroll in December is the practical deadline.

Can I make 2026 401(k) contributions in January? Generally not as employee deferrals, because they come from pay received in the year. Employer contributions can follow different timing.

How is the 60 to 63 catch-up different? SECURE 2.0 raised the catch-up for people aged 60 to 63 to $11,250 in 2026.

This is general information, not financial advice. Your plan administrator or a tax professional can confirm your numbers.

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